The first book to collect critical perspectives on microfinance in the German language, this volume brings together researchers, practitioners and journalists for an encompassing assessment of the spread of microfinance and its broader consequences.

Building on case studies from several countries, the heterodox contributions examine key issues in microfinance (gender, poverty impacts, developmental impacts, commercialisation, crises) as well as microfinance’s broader context within social business, financialisation, public goods, political economy and critical questions about of mainstream development approaches.